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Holiday travel safety tips

With the holidays just around the corner, it's important to start thinking about safe travel for your kids. Whether you are taking a road trip or flying to your destination, make sure you’re prepared and follow these car seat safety tips.

On the road
If your family is hitting the road for the holidays, make sure you have appropriate car seats for your kids and that you are using them correctly. Seventy to eighty percent of car seats are not used correctly, although 97 percent of caregivers believe they are using them correctly.

If you need help or just someone to do a double-check, the Randall Children’s Hospital child passenger safety technicians are available. Contact the Child Passenger Safety Program at 503-413-4005 to make an appointment. Please note, it can take up to three to four weeks for an appointment so plan accordingly.

Make sure you have the correct seat that fits your child. Best practice is to you’re your child riding rear-facing until two years of age. They can then go forward-facing until they reach the upper height OR weight limit of that seat. Once your child outgrows their harness seat, it is important to use a booster seat until your child reaches a height of at least 4’9”, usually between 8 and 12 years of age.

In the air
Make sure you check with your airline about their car seat policies as they vary. Consider purchasing a ticket for your child if they are under the age of two. Travelling in a car seat is the safest way for your child to fly. Take your car seat with you and use it on the plane if possible. It will be a benefit to have it with you once you arrive at your destination and for any travel during your visit. Ask questions and don’t be afraid to stress the importance of safety for your child.

Once you’re there
Make sure that your child is using a car seat correctly when traveling in cars with other family members. It’s always helpful to check with family or rental car companies ahead of time to make sure the seat you bring with you will fit in the vehicle.